Beat Street (1984)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Stan Lathan

Writers:

Steven Hager (story)
Andrew Davis (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 June 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

The music and break-dance explosion of the summer!

Plot:

An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.

Plot Keywords:

Rap | D.J. | Hip Hop | Subway | Graffiti

Cast

Rae Dawn Chong	...	Tracy Carlson
Guy Davis	...	Kenny 'Double K' Kirkland
Jon Chardiet	...	Ramon
Leon W. Grant	...	Chollie
Saundra Santiago	...	Carmen Cararro
Robert Taylor	...	Lee Kirkland
Mary Alice	...	Cora (as Mary Alice Smith)
Shawn Elliott	...	Domingo
Jim Borrelli	...	Monte
Dean Elliott	...	Henri
Franc Reyes	...	Luis
Tonya Pinkins	...	Angela
Lee Chamberlin	...	Alicia
Antonia Rey	...	Flora
Duane Jones	...	Robert

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) | UK:15 (original rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Norway:12 | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Fresh Pond Road Train Station, Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Trivia:

According to Fast Break (who appeared in the Treacherous Three sequence), there was a classroom up-rocking battle scene that involved the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew, but it was cut. There was also more of the climatic battle between these two crews at the Roxy nightclub.

Quotes:

Cora: You better eat your eggs before I break your legs.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Proud Family Movie (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

This Could Be the Night

Beat Street Breakdown,Rah!!!

Without doubt Beat Street is the best film about the breakin scene. Everything about it is spot on,the clothes (puma),the music and most importantly the dancing! The storyline is basic,but hey whats there to tell a story about? The whole point of the film is to show what kids of that moment in time were doing,what mattered to them. It shows that teenagers in general are good,all that mattered to these everyday kids was music,dancing and friendship. Having watched the DVD recently i was plesantly surprised how well it had stood the test of time! The clothes didn't look dated (possibly because Puma is now having a massive comeback),the music still sounds fresh,and the dancing is still captivating to watch. A film anyone 10-25 years of age should see as part of their youth culture.